Developing technologies that challenge the status quo is what we do best here at Yoti. Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) for good, our new age estimation technology is set to shake up the way people prove their age online and in person. We’re proud of all of the work that’s gone into making it easy to use, accurate and fair for everyone, no matter your age or ethnicity, so we’ve released a whitepaper for people that want to know more.

Making it faster and safer to prove your age

Yoti Age Scan (YAS) is a secure age checking service that accurately estimates a person’s age by looking at their face. Until now, people have had to show ID documents to prove their age, a process that’s outdated and easily spoofed with high quality fake IDs available online for much less than the official documents they replicate. Others can’t afford an ID document, which prevents them from accessing certain goods and services, such as obtaining medicine or placing their vote.

Our facial recognition applications are designed to make life easier for everyone. We believe it is crucial to have a transparent approach when launching new technology that uses facial recognition. With that in mind, we’ve signed the Safe Face Pledge, which encourages companies using AI to ensure that facial recognition technology is not misused. We’ve also released a new whitepaper that explains how we use AI for good with YAS.

Key takeouts from the report:

YAS ‘always forgets a face’.

YAS has been designed with data privacy and security at its core. It doesn’t require individuals to register in advance or provide any documentary evidence of their identity. It doesn’t store their images or personal information. It simply estimates their age.

YAS can accurately estimate the age of millions of people in a private and secure way. It is a scalable solution which is quicker and more accurate than manual ID checks, and can be used when providing age-restricted goods and services, both online and in person.

A robust solution built for the real world

YAS will go live in supermarkets in Q1 2019 to let someone purchase an age-restricted good at the self checkout. As regulators review the accuracy of this innovative approach, opportunities will open up globally for the sale and/or collection of age-restricted goods through automated vending and dispensing machines.

For the first time, technology will be able to estimate someone’s age with a high degree of accuracy, and give people the chance to verify their age in a private and secure way.